Jewish Ottawa

Local news and updates on the Jewish community of Ottawa.

Celebrating the diversity of Jewish Canadian identity

There are many ways to be Jewish, and Jewish Heritage Month offers an opportunity to celebrate the richness and diversity of Jewish life and identity.

While popular portrayals of the Canadian Jewish experience often centre Ashkenazi traditions, from matzo ball soup to Yiddish expressions, J…

Ottawa passes Safe Access Bylaw to protect vulnerable community spaces

Ottawa’s City Council recently passed the Safe Access to Social Infrastructure Bylaw, also referred to as the ‘bubble’ bylaw, which has been of concern to the Jewish community. This will allow the city to create temporary safe access zones, 50 metres from building access points, around…

Kathy Kacer on Holocaust storytelling and reaching 80,000 Ontario students

At the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s annual Yom HaShoah Community Commemoration, award-winning novelist Kathy Kacer spoke about her life as the child of Holocaust survivors and how it inspired her to embark on a second career as an author following her time working as a psychologist. 

Ha…

Linda Kerzner, Sharon Appotive recognized by Ottawa Distinguished Women

Two remarkable women from Ottawa's Jewish community, Linda Kerzner and Sharon Appotive, have been honoured by Ottawa’s Distinguished Women, an organization that celebrates the achievements and contributions of women across the city.

Started by Maria Ricci, this volunteer-led initiative st…

PJ Library book kits to return to Ottawa classrooms next month

After tremendous success last year, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa’s PJ Library program will once again be distributing book kits across Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) and Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) classrooms for Jewish Heritage Month in May.

With over 200 classr…